The Lagos State Police Command had on Tuesday paraded the suspect who was arrested in Okija, Anambra State four days after stealing the baby in Lagos State.
Jennifer, who is said to be from Anambra State, had befriended the baby’s mother, Aina Adetola, for about two weeks, before carring out the act on Saturday, September 26.
According to Punch Metro, the 26-year-old said she stole the baby in the Ajegunle area of Lagos and fled to Anambra State so that her unnamed lover could pay her bride price and marry her. She also added that she had lied to her lover in Okija, Anambra State, that the baby was the fruit of their relationship.
Jennifer who claimed to be an orphan said she came to Lagos in June 2015 to look for a way to get pregnant. She said she lived with her lover in Anambra whom she wanted to get married to by all means but that he insisted she got pregnant for him and after the baby is born, he would be convinced enough to marry her.
According to her, “My mother died when I was in primary five. My father had died a few years earlier. My parents had two of us; but a few years ago, my elder sister died during childbirth. So, I was left alone in Anambra State without any relation.
“I gave birth to a child in 2010, but he died after six months. Last year, I met a man who promised to marry me after I had had a child for him.
“We started living together in October 2014. I was pregnant, but after three months, I had a miscarriage. I was troubled, and started running after traditional doctors and hospitals, but to no avail. I decided to come to Lagos to work and find a way to get a baby.
“I came to Lagos in June 2015. So, I came to the Ajegunle area and I got a job as a fuel attendant. While I was working, I met the baby’s mother and we became friends.
“On that Saturday, I went to her shop, which was near the filling station. I said I was going to the boundary area to buy an item and I would carry her baby with me. She did not object. So, I took the baby from her, and boarded a bus to Anambra State to meet my lover. I did this so that he could pay my bride price and marry me.
“I did not tell the baby’s mother that I was taking him to Anambra. We left on Saturday and got to my place on Sunday. I had the intention to bring the baby back after my bride price had been paid. I lied to my husband that I had been pregnant before I left and gave birth to the baby while in Lagos.
Jennifer added that on hearing this, her lover believed her and they took good care of the baby for four days before the police showed up in their apartment.
“When the police came,” she continued, “My lover immediately dissociated himself from me. He had not paid the bride price before the police arrested me.”
The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who confirmed the arrest, said the command would not tolerate criminals in the state.
“The command is doing all it should to bring crimes to the barest minimum, and we want the general public to always avail us of information to be able to do this.”
Meanwhile, the baby’s father, one Adeniyi Adetola, reportedly said he was glad to be reunited with his child, adding that the police did a good job for his family.
Adeniyi said, “We are taking the boy to the hospital for further treatment. The mother and I are happy to have our baby boy back. The baby is my second child, and I appreciate the police for doing a good job on this case. I also appreciate God.”
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